Identity & Culture

IV. Interviews
World Heritage List. For instance, UNESCO has supported Saudi Arabia in preparing the nomination file
of Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih), advised Qatar on the preparation of Al-Zubarah nomination
file, and we are currently supporting Kuwait in preparing the nomination file of the Kuwait Towers (Abraj
al-Kuwait). We also involve civil servants and experts from the region in our training activities, regional
and international policy-making workshops, and international meetings and conferences.
Gulf Affairs: What does UNESCO view as some of the most important cultural and heritage
projects in the region?
Al Hassan: There are a number of interesting cultural and heritage projects in the region. Each country
has its own style or focus. Of particular interest are the museums and cultural institutions established by
Qatar Museums, which have considerably raised the level of cultural institutions in the Arab states to compete
with similar institutions at the international level. The urban conservation and revitalization projects
undertaken by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities in Manama and the interpretation and
presentation of their archaeological sites, such as the site museum of Qalat al Bahrain, are valuable initiatives.
The art fairs and shows such as Art Dubai and the Sharjah Biennial have become hubs for discovering
new talent at the international level. In Saudi Arabia and Oman for example, the focus is on conserving
historical sites and on studying and conserving historic cities and cultural landscapes. Much has been
going on in the region in the past years—there is a real dynamism in some Gulf countries, directed either
towards historic sites or towards creativity, or both.
Gulf Affairs: How would you characterize the heritage of the Gulf states? How does the Gulf
identity shape its view toward its cultural heritage and preservation of culture? What is
unique or interesting about the Gulf cultural heritage or identity?
Al Hassan: Cultural heritage in the Gulf states cannot be defined as a single entity or typology. It varies
from region to region, from country to country, from rock-art prehistoric sites to ancient civilizations such
as the Dilmun dynasty, from Nabatean sites, to Islamic cities and forts and later to human settlements
linked to the pearl trade, to name but a few. This diversity counters the narrative about the Gulf states
being one compact culture versus a multitude of influences and historical layers. Indeed, very rarely do
people visit the Gulf states as a cultural destination, but this is changing now thanks to the change in the
cultural policies of Gulf governments. Some are investing considerably in cultural activities, the revitalization
of historical cities, and making their historical sites become destinations for visits.
As in any country in the world, public institutions make choices related to which cultural heritage they
want to value and protect. What’s interesting is how the options in the Arab states of the Gulf region are
growing to include not only Islamic architecture but also ancient sites and pearl trade settlements. In
Kuwait, there is even a strong interest for preserving architectural buildings from the Modern Movement
period. Public policies are steadily embracing the diversity of cultural heritage in the Gulf region; this is
very interesting indeed.
Gulf Affairs: What are the challenges and the opportunities related to the creation, conservation,
and maintenance of the status of World Heritage sites in the Gulf region?
Al Hassan: Often sites with national or regional value claim a World Heritage status, but this is not the
idea of the World Heritage Convention. When a country ratifies the Convention, it doesn’t mean that they
50 Gulf Affairs